There has never been tougher time for regional airlines in New Zealand, but Air Chathams still hopes to become the regional carrier that Kiwis, and agents, look to—not only to get around New Zealand, but to connect with larger carriers heading overseas.
While 3C continues to battle fuel costs, tough exchange rates and supply chain challenges, it remains focused on keeping Kiwis connected. This, it says, includes reinstating three of its weekly flights between Auckland and Whanganui.
The route was cut by 22% back in Apr, due to the Middle East conflict and subsequent fuel crises. 3C ceo Duane Emeny told Travel Today the carrier needed to pull direct costs wherever it could without destroying the market.
However fuel prices have since reduced, though still 20% higher than pre-28 Feb. Emeny says Whanganui has been 3C’s strongest North Island regional sector connecting into Auckland, and he has no desire to limit this demand by not having enough flights.
“We brought them back as of this month, and I’m just hoping, crossing everything, that this Middle East conflict doesn’t continue to escalate as it seems to have in the
last week or so and we don’t see another surge in jet fuel price.”
. . . Confidence
He says agents can feel confident in booking with 3C, saying he understands the importance of surety when you’re trying to put together travel packages. “We don’t want to be taking them on a rollercoaster where one minute they are booking customers and the next minute they’re transferring them onto other flights,” he says. “When we put these back in, we’re not doing it knowing that in a couple of weeks’ time we’re going to be changing it again.”
He admits he does continue to be concerned with the current aviation environment, and notes 3C is taking a very cautious approach, saying the situation is ‘just so volatile’.
“We’re certainly hoping for the best, but we are planning for what would be a long drawn out tail on this thing,” he says. “I can’t personally recall a tougher time in the industry.” Despite this all, Emeny remains incredibly passionate about the regional aviation sector, and the potential of 3C to grow. This includes more work with Air New Zealand, and ultimately connecting Kiwis onto larger carriers at the international gateway airports in New Zealand.
“I think that’s a niche we can fit quite well, so it’s a case of making sure we do the right things now to stabilise the business and ensure that we are positioned well for
those growth opportunities that will hopefully come.”
